Aegis BMD (FM-3) Stellar Impact Quicklook

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the U.S. Navy announced today a successful flight test in the continuing development of the Sea-Based Midcourse (SMD) element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System capability. Flight Mission-3 (FM-3) involved the firing of a developmental Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) from the Aegis cruiser USS Lake Erie to intercept an Aries ballistic missile target launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. The target was launched at 9:23 p.m. (EDT). The USS Lake Erie, equipped with Aegis Lightweight Exo-Atmospheric Projectile Intercept (ALI) computer programs and equipment, developed a fire control solution without any external sensor inputs. About six minutes after the Aries was launched, USS Lake Erie s Aegis Weapon System launched an SM-3. Approximately two minutes after the SM-3 launch, the missile s kinetic warhead acquired, tracked, and diverted into the target, demonstrating the SMD ALI system s capability to hit the ballistic missile target in the exo-atmosphere.

The primary objective of this test was to demonstrate the ALI system capability to hit the ballistic missile target. Extensive engineering evaluation data was collected for analyses in preparation for future flight tests. Program officials will evaluate the data and incorporate changes as required.

This was the second consecutive target intercept flight, demonstrating ALI system robustness. Today s test was the fifth in a planned series of nine developmental test flights for the SMD ALI program. An extensive ground test program had already conducted successful testing of elements of the ALI system.

Air defense variants of the Standard Missile are currently at sea in over 50 Aegis cruisers and destroyers, with more than 25 additional ships in the production/planned pipeline.

The Missile Defense Agency and the Navy manage the SMD Program. Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., is the prime contractor for the development of the SM-3 missile. Lockheed Martin Naval Electronic and Surveillance Systems, Moorestown, N.J. manages the development of the Aegis Weapon System installed in Aegis cruisers and destroyers.

Approved for Public Release 13 June 2002.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Navy
• Aegis
• Ballistic
• Missile
• Defense
• FM-3
• Flight
• Mission
• Test
• Cruiser
• SRBM
• MDA
• intercept
• descent
• stellar
• impact
• weapons
• BMD
• short
• range

[zinjanthropas]

So this system uses kinetic energy and doesn't have a war head like THAD? Can someone verify this for me please thanks.

[AegisBMD]

The SM-3 and THAAD are kinetic energy weapons. Both missiles have kinetic kill vehicles controlled by an attitude control system which are flown directly into the target.

[StiviGun1]

@AegisBMD And what is the hit probability of these kinetic warheads against more advanced ballistic missiles? What is their hit probability against Iranian or N Korean IRBM?

[AegisBMD]

@StiviGun1 Probability is based on many factors to include target trajectory and location of the ship to the targets trajectory. But in reference to the TBMs you ask about, the probability is high for intercept.

[StiviGun1]

@AegisBMD I wanna ask you something. Why some people used the pretext that these ABM systems can't intercept advanced Russians ICBMs to reject these systems if these systems are not meant to be used against Russian ICBMs from the beginning? Does that mean that they do plan to build such systems that can defend against Russian ICBMs? And if yes, why? Are they planning to attack Russia?

[AegisBMD]

@StiviGun1 These systems are designed to defend a region against a ballistic missile threat no matter what country it is launched from. There will always be advances in the ICBM technology in which defense systems will continue to be developed and tested against new and upcoming threat potentials.

[jazmine1292]

i was one of the crew serving under capt. hammerer's command during this test... "dont give up the ship"

[MitkoChan]

@ilovebrasilful But you know. 'Cos you're SPECIAL. Yeah.

[Jospehporta]

@ilovebrasilful actually there are no missiles orbiting the earth. The weaponization of space is illegal and it would be very easy to prove if there were weapons in orbit. Prompt Global strike normally refers to conventionally armed Minuteman missiles with very high accuracy. The system is being resisted because a foe cannot tell the difference between a conventionally armed or nuclear armed Minuteman.

[StiviGun1]

@ilovebrasilful Actually, the Prompt Global Strike system is not yet developed. & it's also encountering a lot of resistance from a lot of US politicians because they say this could start a new arms race. Suspiciously, they don't say anything abt Russia new & ILLEGAL RS-24 ICBM & Bulava SLBM.

As 4 X-37B, people r way overestimating it. The best thing that space plane can be used at is spying. Contrary 2 what people believe, it is can not be use as a weapon.

[ilovebrasilful]

@StiviGun1 we have a new weapon called prompt global strike. it can hit anywhere in the world in less than 60 minutes and it equiped with a conventional warhead. russia hates it it would make their missiles useless. the missiles are sent to space in one vihecle and stay there untill activated. where the missiles can be launched anywhere. hopefully at russia. also check out the x37b sub orbital test vihecle. thses things are top secret. no one knows wht they do.

[StiviGun1]

@AegisBMD Pretty fucked up situation then... And what is the US going to do against Russia's most recent (and illegal) ICBMs, the RS-24 and Bulava? Are the anti-missile systems the US is developing going to start a new arms race? Also, are you personally working for any of the companies that are building these systems for the US?